Marine collagen
Marine collagen suppliers and sourcing guide
Marine collagen is hydrolyzed collagen made from fish skin and scales, and sometimes bones, most often from whitefish such as cod, pollock and tilapia. The skins are cleaned and pretreated, the collagen is extracted with hot water (as gelatin), then broken into peptides with enzymes, filtered, decolorized and spray dried. The result is a cold-water-soluble powder of about 90% protein that does not gel, sold by average molecular weight for powders, drinks and capsules.
- Category
- Proteins and amino acids
- Also known as
- fish collagen peptides · hydrolyzed fish collagen · marine collagen peptides · fish collagen hydrolysate
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of marine collagen
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides
Spray-dried powder with a stated average molecular weight, often 1,000 to 5,000 daltons.
Wild-caught versus farmed source
Peptides from wild-caught whitefish skins or farmed fish such as tilapia; buyers often specify species and origin.
Agglomerated or instant
Granulated powder that wets and dissolves faster in cold drinks.
Fish gelatin
The non-hydrolyzed form, which gels and is used in gummies and capsules rather than drink powders.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Protein (Kjeldahl or Dumas)
- Total nitrogen times 5.55 (the usual collagen factor) or the factor the supplier states, on an as-is and dry basis.
- Molecular weight distribution
- Average molecular weight and distribution by size-exclusion HPLC (GPC), the main spec that separates grades.
- Hydroxyproline
- Hydroxyproline by HPLC or colorimetric method as an identity marker for collagen.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS; mercury and arsenic matter for marine sources.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, coliforms, yeast and mold, Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus.
- Odor and color
- Sensory check and solution color, since fishy odor is the most common quality complaint.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed, cool and dry; collagen peptides are hygroscopic and cake when exposed to humid air. Shelf life comes from the supplier's specification, with a retest of moisture, micro and odor for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Record species, catch or farm origin, molecular weight and heavy metal results for each lot. Fish is a major allergen in the US, so keep allergen documentation with the lot file and check odor on arrival.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph lists fish bone and skin among the source materials, alongside bovine, porcine and chicken sources.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)For the purpose of that monograph, hydrolyzed collagen has no jelling power and is soluble in cold water.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists collagen with the technical effects flavoring agent or adjuvant and solvent or vehicle.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Marine collagen suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking marine collagen suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell marine collagen? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of marine collagen can brands buy?
Common forms include hydrolyzed collagen peptides, wild-caught versus farmed source, agglomerated or instant and fish gelatin. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for marine collagen include?
Expect protein (Kjeldahl or Dumas), molecular weight distribution, hydroxyproline, heavy metals, microbiology and odor and color, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should marine collagen be stored?
Store sealed, cool and dry; collagen peptides are hygroscopic and cake when exposed to humid air. Shelf life comes from the supplier's specification, with a retest of moisture, micro and odor for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of marine collagen?
Health Canada's Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph lists fish bone and skin among the source materials, alongside bovine, porcine and chicken sources. For the purpose of that monograph, hydrolyzed collagen has no jelling power and is soluble in cold water. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists collagen with the technical effects flavoring agent or adjuvant and solvent or vehicle.
More proteins and amino acids
- Collagen Peptideshydrolyzed collagen · collagen hydrolysate
- Creatine Monohydratecreatine · micronized creatine
- L-TheanineTheanine · N-ethyl-L-glutamine
- Pea ProteinPisum sativum protein · pea protein isolate
- Whey Protein IsolateWPI · whey isolate
- Whey protein concentrateWPC · WPC 80
- Whey protein hydrolysateWPH · hydrolyzed whey protein
- Micellar caseinmicellar casein isolate · casein micelles
- Milk protein concentrateMPC · MPC 70
- Milk protein isolateMPI · milk protein
- Sodium caseinatecasein sodium · caseinate sodium salt
- Calcium caseinatecasein calcium · caseinate calcium salt
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.